She did not even understand several shrill yells, which reached her ear from over the hill.

She had not been with the Sioux long enough to know their cries.

These yells were the signal cries of scouts sent in, who had found a deserted camp.

She only wondered, after hearing the yells, that she did not hear firing--the sounds of battle raging.
While she yet wondered, day dawned, finding her standing there by the empty blanket of Willie Pond, holding his rifle, and looking up the hill to see if he would not creep out, now that light had come and the Indians had gone.
A shrill neigh from the black horse called her attention toward the animal, and she saw the Texan riding into the valley on a keen run.
"Where is Bill ?" she asked, as she ran to meet the rider, with Pond's blanket, hat, and rifle in her hand.
"Gone at full speed with his warriors on the trail of the Black Hillers, who have been alarmed in some way, and, have got at least two hours start.

He sent me back to bring you and Pond along." "Here is all of Mr.Pond that can be found," said Addie, holding up what she had found.